TRAINING CAMP LIVE: Friday, NVMC
LIVE scribbling during practice; Okposo out
Video Interviews: Schremp, Bailey, Martin
A little live blogging at Islanders practice, which started at noon and is comprised of just one large group. Check back during the next few hours for updates.
Noon: Kyle Okposo has a shoulder injury and is out for today’s practice. The Islanders say he will be re-evaluated over the weekend.
12:05: Before practice, former Bridgeport assistant Bernie Cassell – a skating specialist – had a small class with a handful of players, including Matt Martin, Zenon Konopka and Radek Martinek.
12:08: Also out for the Islanders: Doug Weight, Frans Nielsen, Rob Schremp, PA Parenteau and Trent Hunter. The Islanders say they have been given a day off. The team website says they’re all out with “general soreness.” No matter what you want to call it, Weight (coming off shoulder surgery), Nielsen (not revealed) and Parenteau (groin) have already missed days during camp.
12:10: For tomorrow’s public scrimmage at the Coliseum, the two Islanders squads will wear their new blue and white uniforms. Tickets are $10 each (benefiting the team’s Children’s Foundation) and are available through the team site and at the Coliseum box office.
12:12: For those that can’t make it to the arena, newyorkislanders.com will stream the scrimmage. Chris King will call the play-by-play.
12:15: Coaches on the ice at practice: Scott Gordon, Dean Chynoweth, Scott Allen, Sudarshan Maharaj (goalies), Jack Capuano (Bridgeport) and Cassell.
12:20: First 15 minutes of practice featured drills and almost complete silence, except for the occasional thought from Gordon. Now Gordon is at the dry-erase board by the Islanders’ bench.
12:25: At some of the days I’ve been at camp, I’d see this familiar face either sitting in the stands or around the locker room. He was wearing an Islanders coach’s jacket, but I knew that he was new. I’d think, “I know he was a player. I think he was a good player. I just know he never played here.” Then I’d forget about it and not pursue. As Katie Strang blogged yesterday, it is Geoff Sanderson. Perhaps he’ll fill the player development position vacated when Bryan Trottier’s contract was not renewed. The former Whaler last played in Edmonton in 2007-08.
12:30: Mikko Koskinen, on his back, recovers to make wild save on Konopka. Justin DiBenedetto smiles, can’t believe it.
12:37: If only Radek Martinek can stay healthy for most of the season…
12:45: There are five lines of forwards, arranged by colors, plus two players wearing yellow: Trevor Gillies and Kirill Kabanov.
12:54: Scott Gordon yells, “Stretch. That’s it”! Looks like a short one. Team plays a full scrimmage tomorrow morning.
12:58: It’s worth pointing out that the Coliseum scoreboard keeps running time in big, blue letters throughout practice. Have to believe this is a coach’s aid.
1:05: James Wisniewski enlists Kabanov’s help for post-practice work. Kabanov, at at the faceoff circle, backhands a puck to either Wisnewski or D partner Mark Streit. The current first-unit PP defenseman take turns one-timing slappers off their passes.
1:07: Gordon in discussion on the ice with Rick DiPietro, who is scheduled to play in tomorrow’s scrimmage.
1:40: After I interviewed Mark Katic for a future piece, I asked Scott Gordon about the defense prospect who flies below the radar and under Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic. Gordon complimented Katic’s work ethic in an offseason that started in February with shoulder surgery. “If he continues to get stronger and strong on his feet,” said the coach, “he has a real opportunity to play in the NHL.”
1:50: Gordon says the Islanders will play three full periods in their public scrimmage on Saturday. DiPietro is confirmed to play. The major change from the team’s prospect scrimmage in July is that the skills competition will be “modified.” For darn good reason, the coach is concerned about injuries. If a player was to get hurt in a skills showcase, there is little time for recovery before the start of the regular season.
Gordon on the extent of Okposo’s injury: “Sore shoulder. Day off.”
Comments.
35 Responses to TRAINING CAMP LIVE: Friday, NVMC
LIVE scribbling during practice; Okposo out
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the bomber says:
so not good
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Blizzard says: ….ummm crap!
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doc says:
Ouch… and so it begins.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
They already dealing with injuries even before preseason starts. Doesn’t sound promising. The show called Isles/Soundtigers begins again.
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And, by the way, CB, thank you for much needed live coverage.
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Petey Pete says:
Geoff Sanderson?? Wow, was Kevin Dineen unavailable?
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2Bit says:
Okposo out … Nino in?
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JT says:
Should we be worried about KO’s shoulder? Any idea how he injured it?
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Steve says:
CB, any general reaction to the Okposo absence? Should we remain calm or completely freak out?
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Weight is already a drag on this team. Think he might double his production of last season? Why so many injuries? Players out of shape, or Gordon’s stupid system? He wears players down. Good thing Bridgeport is so close. They better have a private plane service available at all times up there.
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Lit says:
We could have used Geoff Sanderson 10 years ago..
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Ice Girl Dad says:
Kenvin Dineen coaches the Portland Pirates in the “A”, will make a great head coach soon. Sanderson was a great skater and an All-Star on those Whaler teams in the 90′s. Is it the “system” that the boys are banged up already? Neilsen and Okoposo are concerning at this point.
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Spartiarti RVC says:
cant believe its camp and we have guys nursing injuries already. is that possible.
Maybe DEMERs needs to change the regime. -
Pilon for life says:
Bring back the whale!! No Okposo for the open scrimmage tommorow stinks, but maybe El Nino will get a longer look.
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Staten Islander says:
HOLD IT! KO is hurt before DP? What on EARTH is going on here?
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Tim F. says:
The Sound Tigers used to (maybe they still do) have a promotion where a team could practice at the Arena at Harbor Yard ice before home games, with the practice run by a Sound Tigers coach. I did it a few years ago (with some other old men whose best hockey is well behind us), and Bernie Cassell ran the practice. He skated our a$$e$ off! He was great – - treated us like “real” hockey players, and imparted a lot of practical knowledge along the way. He’s a first class person and coach, and it’s nice to see him back in the fold, even if it’s just as a consultant.
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hale78 says:
i grew up a whaler fan so i am pumped that geoff is on board…i haven’t wore his jersey since they moved.to post 15..they still have it is called chalk talk..they do it like 5 times a season and iti s a blast
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as long as nothing is broken or torn then this is part of day to day camps
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cm2747 says:
okposo probably hurt himself swinging the bat with the minnesota twins in the offseason..
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Nick says:
Let’s all relax until we hear some details here…Gordo is gonna be extremely cautious at this stage of camp…but OMG i hope he’s okay.
Side Note: When is KO going to become an all-star? Better be this season. Part of this rebuild includes KO being a great player, not just an average one (which he’s been up until this point). Anybody else worried about this?
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drive45 says:
KO needs to step up big this year. I highly doubt he will be an all-star, but 25 goals at least is needed.
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Al L says:
Re-evaluated as in the degree of injury?? That instantly is worrysome. Shoulder injuries if becoming chronic are debilitating,and change the style in which you play(See Barry Beck). Hopefully there is no damage.
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JTizzle91 says:
Wheww!!! They made it sound worse than a sore shoulder!
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hockeytime says:
Wow, only in Isles country does everyone panic when there is a few bumps and bruises. Its early and season doesn’t start for a few weeks. Take a sdeep breath…relax…hockey season is here. Let’s go Islanders!
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John says:
Geoff Sanderson…wonder if he can still put the puck in the net. Garth sign him up!
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Sore shoulder/day off doesn’t tell us much when re-evaluation entered into discussion previously. How many days off are we talking about ultimately?
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I was at camp today as well and while Weight and Parenteau were skating and shooting, they made Kabanov clean up the ice (of pucks) when they were through. Kabanov still paying his dues I guess.
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Bob Bassen says:
I really like Geoff Sanderson as a player. Seems like a classy dude as well. Surprised there wasn’t any sort of PR of his hiring.
Or was there? -
DoubleW says:
If only Sanderson could teach speed… One of the fastest in his day
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27Tonelli says:
Oh boy here we go with the injuries, it’s like we are Mr. Glass from the movie “Unbreakable” ! This team is unbelievable !
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MAD FAN says:
Think positive think positive think positive…think…. Lets Go Islanders
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kallur says:
Chris;
Far as I’m concerned, and this should surprise you little, the jury’s still out on Scott Gordon. What are your thoughts? I know you have to step lightly, but what do you consider his strengths, his weaknesses? Any type of innovator that you see?
(Looks like KO is KO’d; three weeks, I’m guessing.) -
Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Can’t wait to see some Isles hockey! Thanks for the coverage.
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!
Not good